Donate

If you enjoyed this site, please consider donating the price of your favorite cup of coffee (or drink of your choice) to our project, which aims to support cultural programs in Greece.

The Seikilos Epitaph / Ο επιτάφιος του Σείκιλου

The epitaph of Seikilos is the oldest preserved example of a complete musical composition, containing both lyrics and music, from anywhere in the world.
The song, the melody of which is written down, together with its lyrics, in the style of ancient Greek musical notation, was found carved on an epitaph stone, near Aidin in Turkey (not very far from Ephesus). The find dates to between 200 BC and 100 AD.
In addition, on the tombstone there is an inscription which declares that “I am an epitaph stone, a picture. Sikilos placed me here as an immortal sign of eternal memory.’
The lyrics say: